Cigarette package with an ejector strip for each cigarette



CIGARETTE PACKAGE WITH AN EJECTOR STRIP FOR EACH CIGARETTE Flled July19, 1961 INVENTOR Evan J. Amon 7 Fig. 5

United States Patent 3,108,711 CIGARETTE PACKAGE WITH AN EJECTOR STRIPFOR EACH CIGARETTE Evan J. Anton, 43-44 60th St, Woodside, N.Y. FiledJuly 19, 1961, Ser. No. 125,149 4 Claims. (Cl. 22192) This inventionrelates to an improved package or container for cigarettes or similarlyshaped articles.-

Popular type packages of cigarettes have many undesirable features,predominant among which are a bulky and cumbersome shape which causes anunsightly bulge when carried in a pocket or purse, the fact that eachindividual cigarette is not firmly retained to prevent shifting ofcigarettes remaining Within the package once opened, and also that thepackage construction affords virtually no protection to the cigarettesas against accidental damaging by crushing.

As cigarettes have heretofore been packaged in multiple rows within asingle-compartment package, cigarettes remaining within an openedpackage freely shift about and fall transversely within the package andacross each other. As a result, the removal of cigarettes becomesprogressively more difficult and bothersome and also the probability ofdamage by crushing of remaining cigarettes is increased. This freeshifting of cigarettes Within the package also loosens the tobaccofiller which, in addition to causing soft ends to the cigarettes, spillsfrom the package and into a pocket or purse to the great annoyance ofthe smoker.

There have been numerous attempts to overcome these disadvantages buteach has failed, primarily because of the impractical approach and alsobecause of the objectionable cost of manufacture and assembly of theparticular package construction proposed.

This invention, therefore, is particularly directed to an improvedpackage for cigarettes or similarly shaped articles wherein many of theundesirable features of popular type packages are avoided.

Among the objects of this invention is, therefore, to provide a packagefor cigarettes or other similarly shaped articles which is of compactdesign and simple to assemble and wherein each cigarette is fullyprotected against accidental damage irrespective of the number ofcigarettes remaining in the package.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package for cigarettesor other similarly shaped articles wherein the cigarettes, from first tolast, are individually and conveniently removed from the package withoutloosening or in any Way disturbing cigarettes remaining within thepackage.

These and numerous other objects and advantages are achieved inaccordance with one aspect of this invention by the provision of apackage wherein cigarettes are packaged in contiguous, row-like fashionwithin one or multiple compartments. Opposing inside walls of eachcompartment are spaced to contact and gently pinch opposite portions ofeach cigarette so as to firmly and compactly retain each in positionirrespective of the number of cigarettes remaining within the saidcompartment or any other compartment.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, the package isformed from a precut and prescored blank which, when folded, includes apair of distinct compartments each having a rigid bottom portion and anaccess opening at respective opposite ends so as to provide greaterstructural rigidity to the package. The access opening of eachcompartment is sealed by a flexible strip which coacts with the opposinginner walls and rigid bottom of the said compartment to maintain thecigarettes, irrespective of the number remaining therein, firmly inposition. The flexible strip is perforated in tab fashion for ice easytearing in the plane of contact between adjacent cigarettes forindividual access to each cigarette within the said compartment.

In accordance with yet another aspect of this invention, the flexiblestrip sealing each compartment extends downwardly along one inside wallof the compartment and underlies the row of cigarettes in foldedfashion; the interior end of the flexible strip is adhesively connectedsubstantially midway along the opposing inside wall of the compartment.In this instance, the flexible strip is perforated along its length toprovide a number of separate ejector or elevating strips correspondingone to each cigarette. When the flexible strip is torn in tab-fashionand smoothly pulled, the perforated section Within the compartmentdivides and the folded portion of the nowdefined ejector strip extendswhereby the cigarette is frictionally carried on the ejector strip andpartially projected from the compartment. As the transverse dimension ofthe ejector strip is equal to the diameter of the cigarette, the portionthereof remaining within the compartment is in contact along a nextadjacent cigarette and invention;

. age formed of the blank of FIGURE 1 wherein the flexible sealing stripis adapted as ejector strips and with cigarettes in position therein:

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional View of the package shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the package shown in FIGURE2.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts inthe several views and more particularly to FIGURE 1, 2 designates ablank of any suitable material, such as cardboard, etc'., from which thepackage or container is formed. The blank 2 is cut and shaped to providea substantially rectangular portion 3 having a rectangular portion 5extending laterally from one of its longer edges whereby a substantiallyL-shaped structure is defined.

The rectangular portion 3 is scored or creased such as at 7 to definerectangular side wall sections 9 and 11 and also rectangular end wallsections 13 and 15. Side wall sections 9 and 11 are slightly undercutalong opposite edges 17 and 19, respectively, to form a droppededgealong opposite sides and at opposite ends of the formed package. SeeFIGURE 2. A tapered flap extension 21 defined by a scored line 7' alongthe lateral edge of side section 11 overlaps with and is adhesivelyconnected to the side wall section 13 to close the sides and ends of thepackage.

Rectangular portion 5 is integrally hinged, along the bottom edge ofrectangular wall section 9. Rectangular wall section 9 is aligned withand has transverse dimensions substantially equal to that of side Wallsection 11. The rectangular portion 5 is scored such as at 23 to definean elongated, rectangular bottom section 25, partition section 27 and atapered flap extension 29. Partition section 27, when folded alongscored line 23, is received within the sides and ends of the package todefine a pair 3 of distinct packaging compartments 31 and 33. SeeFIGURES 2 through 5. Rectangular section 25 forms the main bottom ofcompartment 31.

An elongated, rectangular bottom section 35 is integrally hinged alongthe top edge of side section 11. When partition section 27 is receivedbetween side wall sections 9 and 11, flap extension 29 overlaps with andis adhesively connected to bottom section 35 to end-seal the secondcompartment 33.

Tapered wing extensions 37 are integrally hinged at diagonally-oppositeportions of the shorter edges of side wall sections 13 and 15. As shown,the wing extensions 37 provided on the lower shorter edges of the sidewall sections 13 and 15 are juxtaposed with the lateral edges,respectively, of the partition section 25. In the formed package, wingextensions 37 are received beneath and, if desired, adhesively connectedto the inside faces of bottom sections 25 and 35, respectively, so as toprovide greater structural rigidity to the fully formed package.

The particular configuration of blank 1, therefore, provides a packagefor cigarettes or similarly shaped articles including a pair of distinctpackaging compartments 31 and 33 having rigid main bottoms and alsoaccess openings at opposite ends. The transverse dimensions of each ofcompartments 31 and 33 are such that opposing faces of partition section27 and each of the side wall sections 9 and 11, respectively, contactand gently pinch opposite portions of cigarettes arranged therein inrow-like, contiguous fashion so that each cigarette is individually andfirmly retained in upright position within the respective compartments31 and 33.

The package as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, contains a normal complement oftwenty cigarettes, i.e., ten cigarettes in each of the compartments 31and 33, and is more elongated and of flatter shape than the popular typepackage now employed. However, due to the row like contiguousarrangement of the cigarettes in the respective compartments 31 and 33,the overall size of the package is reduced to a minimum. Manifestly, thesize and shape of the package may be varied so as to contain any numberor size of cigarettes, e.g., standard or king size, or other similarlyshaped articles.

As shown in FIGURE 2, flexible strips 39, for example, of tinfoilmaterial, cellophane, etc., are adhesively connected along the interiorportions of edge 17 at one end of the package and 19 at the other end ofthe package. These flexible strips 39 wrap over and are adhesivelyconnected to the opposing outside face of side sections 11 and 9,respectively, so as to seal the access openings of compartments 31 and33, respectively.

If desired, a Wrapper or jacket, not shown, may be provided in lieu ofor in addition to the flexible strips 39. Each flexible member 39, andalso the wrapper if employed, is perforated such as at 41 in thecontacting planes of adjacent cigarettes to define an individual covertab or lid 43 for each cigarette. To remove a cigarette, therefore, acorresponding tab 43 is individually peeled and torn from over thepackage whereby only the end of that cigarette which is to be removed isexposed. Advantageously, a numerical indication is provided on eachindividual .tab 43 whereby a current record is had of the number ofcigarettes yet remaining within the package.

When a tab 43 has been peeled and torn, as shown, the end portion of thecorresponding cigarette is explosed above edge 17. Slight compressionapplied at the points A-A along the top outside portion of the packagereduces the pinching pressure on the cigarette, and facilitates aremoval of the said cigarette from compartment 31. At this time, theuntorn portion of flexible strip 39 prevents a bowing of the entire sidesection of the compartment to maintain all remaining cigarettes firmlyin position. When this compressive pressure is released, the resiliencyof the side wall sections 13 and 15 and end wall section 9 ofcompartment 31, prevents a subsequent shifting of remaining cigarettes.

The particular advantages of providing rigid bottoms and access openingsat opposite ends of the respective compartments 31 and 33 in the formedpackage can now be appreciated. In the first instance, due to thesinglerow packaging technique, cigarettes irrespective of the numberremaining in a compartment are prevented from shifting and falling overand across each other so as to make removal thereof bothersome. Also,the oppositely disposed bottom sections 25 and 35, and also wingextensions 37 provide rigidity to the formed package which virtuallyeliminates the possiblility that the ends of the package may be crushedor twisted one with respect to the other. As the cigarettes are firmlyand compactly held in upright position at all times, such cigarettes aresubjected, therefore, to only small compressive effects in situationswhich would normally crush and damage cigarettes contained in populartype packages. In addition, the resiliency of the walls of theindividual compartments as well as that of the tobacco filler pro videsfurther protection against damage to the cigarettes.

FIGURE 3 further illustrates another embodiment of this inventionwherein the flexible strips 39 are each adapted as a number of ejectorstrips to partially project individual cigarettes from the compartments31 and 33, respectively. As shown, a flexible strip 39, in addition tosealing the access opening of compartment 31, extends downwardly betweenthe row of cigarettes therein and the inside face of, for example, sidesection 9. The flexible strip 39 passes beneath and underlies the row ofcigarettes and is adhesively connected at a substanially central portionof the inside face of partition member 27 at 27'. In effect, therefore,the flexible strip 39 cups the entire row of cigarettes contained incompartment 31. The flexible strip 39 is perforated in the plane ofcontact of adjacent cigarettes to define a series of ejector strips 45corresponding one to each of the cigarettes in the compartment.

When flexible strip 39 is torn along a perforation and peeled over thetop of the package, the torn portion 47 of the ejector strip 45 is ofsufficient length to be conveniently grasped between forefinger andthumb and pulled outwardly. The application of a steady pull causes theejector strip 4-5 to divide from the flexible strip 39 and travelupwardly to project the upper endof a cigarette cupped therein from thecompartment. To reduce the tension on the ejector strip 45 at this time,that portion of the flexible strip 39 underlying the cigarettes ispleated to provide a series of folds 49. When ejector strip 45 is pulledfrom the compartment, these pleated folds 49 expand in accordion-likefashion whereby the cigarette is not caused to end-slide along theejector strips. Rather, the cigarette is projected from the compartmentprimarily due to friction therebetween and the ejector strip 45.Accordingly, a substantially thin material may be employed as ejectorstrip without danger of tearing during the projecting process.

When a cigarette has been partially projected, the ejection strip isripped along the rim of the compartment 31, as shown in FIGURE 3. Theportion of an ejector strip 45 remaining in compartment 31, being equalin width to the diameter of a cigarette, substitutes for the cigarettewhen removed to serve as an effective barrier along a substantiallycentral portion of a next adjacent cigarette to positively prevent ashifting of remaining cigarettes within the compartment.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, my invention permits ofvarious modifications without departing from the spirit thereof or thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: j

1. A package for articles such as cigarettes comprising substantiallyrigid walls forming a receptacle for a plurality of said articlesarranged in adjacent rows, a partition within said receptacle dividingthe receptacle in articlereceiving compartments, one compartment beingopen at one end only of the receptacle, and the other compartment beingopen at the other end only thereof, a closure for the opposite end ofeach compartment, said closure for one compartment comprising a flapextending from said partition member and a fiap'extending from anadjacent wall of said receptacle and overlying said first-mentionedflap, tabs adhesively secured to said flaps between the same, theclosure for the other compartment comprising a section at the side ofsaid partition opposite from the flap and tabs adhesively secured tosaid section, and a removable flexible closure for the open end of eachcompartment.

2. A package for articles such as cigarettes comprising substantiallyrigid walls forming a receptacle for a plurality of said articlesarranged in adjacent rows, a partition within said receptacle dividingthe receptacle in articlereceiving compartments, one compartment beingopen at one end only of the receptacle, and the other compartment beingopen at the other end only thereof, a closure for the opposite end ofeach compartment, a flexible ejector strip in each compartment attachedto said partition adjacent to and spaced from the closed end thereof,folded in accordion form adjacent said closed end and thence extendingto the open end of each said compart ment in spaced relation to saidpartition to provide the space for the reception of a plurality ofarticles of the character hereinabove referred to, said accordion-likeportion of said closure being adapted to support said articles, and eachsaid ejector strip being divided into severable sections whereby eachsection may be withdrawn from the compartment in which it is located'toindividually withdraw the articles from the compartment.

3. A package for articles such as cigarettes comprising oppositelyarranged relatively narrow wall sections and oppositely arrangedrelatively wider wall sections, a partition member substantiallycoextensive with said wider wall sections arranged parallel thereto anddividing the package into two article receiving compartments, each saidcompartment being open at one end and closed at the other end, theclosed end of one compartment being formed by overlapping flapsextending from said partition and said relatively wider wall section,tabs carried by the relatively narrower wall sections and extendingbetween said fiaps and adhesively securing the same together, and theclosure for the other compartment comprising a narrow wall sectionprojecting from the partition at the side opposite the flap, and tabs onan adjacent pair of narrow sides and overlying the narrow wall section.

4. A package for articles such as cigarettes comprising substantiallyrigid walls forming a receptacle for a p1urality of said articlesarranged in adjacent rows, a partition wall within said receptacledividing the receptacle into article-receiving compartments, onecompartment being open at one end only of the receptacle, and the othercompartment being open at the other end only thereof, a closure for theopposite end of each compartment, a flexible ejector strip in eachcompartment attached to one of said walls forming said compartmentadjacent to and spaced from the closed end of said compartment, foldedin accordion form adjacent said end and thence extending to the open endof each compartment in spaced relation to the wall to which it isattached to provide the space for the reception of a plurality ofarticles of the character hereinabove referred to, said accordion-likeportion of said closure being adapted to support said articles, and eachsaid ejector strip being divided into severable sections whereby eachsection may be withdrawn from the compartment in which it is located toindividually withdraw the articles from the compartment.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS381,889 Scott Apr. 24, 1888 1,104,529 Mendelson et a1 July 21, 19141,144,559 Mendelson et al. June 29, 1915 1,224,996 Baldwin May 8, 19171,469,080 Goerk Sept. 25, 1923 1,519,000 Moore et al Dec. 9, 19241,933,770 Stevenson Nov. 7, 1933 2,503,379 Davis Apr. 11, 1950 2,812,057Brownfield Nov. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 585,134 Canada Oct. 13, 1959

4. A PACKAGE FOR ARTICLES SUCH AS CIRGARETTES COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLYRIGID WALLS FORMING A RECEPTACLE FOR A PLURALITY OF SAID ARTICLESARRANGED IN ADJACENT ROWS, A PARTITION WALL WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLEDIVIDING THE RECEPTACLE INTO ARTICLE-RECEIVING COMPARTMENTS, ONECOMPARTMENT BEING OPEN AT ONE END ONLY OF THE RECEPTACLE, AND THE OTHERCOMPARTMENT BEING OPEN AT THE OTHER END ONLY THEREOF, A CLOSURE FOR THEOPPOSITE END OF EACH COMPARTMENT, A FLEXIBLE EJECTOR STRIP IN EACHCOMPARTMENT ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID WALLS FORMING SAID COMPARTMENTADJACENT TO AND SPACED FROM THE CLOSED END OF SAID COMPARTMENT, FOLDEDIN ACCORDANCE FORM ADJACENT SAID END AND THENCE EXTENDING TO THE OPENEND OF EACH COMPARTMENT IN SPACED RELATION TO THE WALL TO WHICH IT ISATTACHED TO PROVIDE THE SPACE FOR THE RECEPTION OF A PLURALITY OFARTICLES OF THE CHARACTER HEREINABOVE REFERRED TO, SAID ACCORDION-LIKEPORTION OF SAID CLOSURE BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID ARTICLES, AND EACHSAID EJECTOR STRIP BEING DIVIDED INTO SEVERABLE SECTIONS WHEREBY EACHSECTION MAY BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE COMPARTMENT IN WHICH IT IS LOCATED TOINDIVIDUALLY WITHDRAW THE ARTICLES FROM THE COMPARTMENT.